LANSING, Michigan (WLNS) – The capital is one step closer to selecting the next police chief. Tonight, community members had an opportunity to weigh the final two candidates.
20 candidates applied for the position. There are still two finalists. During a virtual forum, both candidates had the opportunity to share their vision with community members.
The discussions included everything from how they wanted to deal with the increase in violence in the city to their thoughts on defusing the police.
“In the purest sense, it is a travesty to think that way. But if you’re talking about taking funds and reallocating them to other needs or resources where we might not hire one officer but three clinicians, that might be a different discussion, ”Matson said.
“We need a police force in your area of responsibility. You need to be able to have someone who will obey the law, keep public safety and keep our community completely safe, ”said Sosebee.
“We have a tremendous opportunity to work together to really bring policing into the modern age. Meet our community’s expectations and how we can become a role model for law enforcement agencies in the United States, ”said Captain Jason Matson, who currently heads the Bakersfield California Police Department.
“I want to head this department. I have the experience, leadership, skills, training and confidence to be the leader this department needs. That division, the Lansing Police Department, is a community-driven, data-driven, constitutional police agency, ”said Captain Ellery Sosefee, who became interim police chief since Daryl Green in June
Tonight, both candidates shared why they believe they are the best candidate for the job.
“In the purest sense, it is a travesty to think that way. But if you talk about taking funds and reallocating them to other needs or resources where we might not hire one officer but three clinicians, then that might be another discussion. “
Next week, the two finalists are expected to conduct one-on-one interviews with Mayor Andy Schor, who will ultimately make the final decision.
The forum can be viewed here.
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